Diann,
Do you know for sure that they were Northern pygmy owls? There are other pygmy owl species that occur in South America and perhaps they were legally gotten from there. (And Northern pygmy owls range as far south as Guatemala) Also, American kestrels extend as far south as Tierra del Fuego, so they may have originated from somewhere other than the U.S. Regardless of their origin, its sad that these birds are being sold as pets.
Greg

>>> Diann MacRae <tvulture at halcyon.com> 01/31 10:24 AM >>>
Hi, Tweets

I know there is always undercover stuff going on with falconry birds,
whether real or imagined, but this is the first time I have heard of our
kestrels and pygmy owl being sold abroad for "pets." Does anyone else
know more about this? The following is off the South African birdnet this
morning:

"I would also like to find out about the distribution and sales of American
Kestrels and Pygmy Owls. Consignments of these birds came into South Africa
last year and were sold as pets to the general public. This was apparently
done under permit issued by the relevant authorities. I have seen the odd
bird in a cockatiel cage in people's homes and Neil Greenwood of our RESCUE
rehabilitation centre received the first abandoned kestrel last Friday. The
same that happens to domestic pets over the festive seasons, happens to these
birds that were most possibly wild caught in their native countries. Let me
know if you have information as I would like tpo do something about this."

I know the sender, who works tirelessly for wildlife in SA, and I would
like to know if anyone on Tweeters knows more about this before I do anything.

Cheers, Diann

Diann MacRae
Bothell
tvulture at halcyon.com